Murray's toughest test yet as he faces Ferrer at Wimbledon

But some pundits are already looking forward to the weekend

ANDY MURRAY takes on Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon today but some observers are already looking ahead to the weekend and the possibility of a place in the final. Murray himself, though, is keeping his feet on the ground and has insisted that the title is "not something I'm thinking about".

Ferrer knocked the British number one out of the French Open last month and both men have won five of their ten meetings. Ferrer is seen as a clay court specialist and has not played Murray on grass before, but he is in a rich vein of form as the Scot acknowledged. "Ferrer is playing the best tennis of his career," said Murray. "I need to play very well."

But the pundits obviously expect him to progress. Writing in The Times, Stuart Barnes points out: "It's not opinion but fact that Murray will not face a player ranked higher than himself at this tournament until - no, I mean unless, don't I, is that cautious enough for you? - he reaches the final and faces either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer."

However, Murray has the toughest test of any of the big names left in the tournament. "This is the moment when his campaign moves into hostile ¬territory," notes The Daily Telegraph. "A match-up between the number four and number five players in the world is a blessing for the fans with tickets for the main arena. But Murray himself will look enviously at the relatively easy opponents faced by his rivals."

However Murray has made the last eight without any major mishaps, says The Daily Mail and has the necessary skills to progress.

"Those who witnessed Ferrer's surprise demolition of Juan Martin del Potro yesterday marvelled at just how well he played, but the way Murray dealt with Cilic suggested he is equipped for the task," adds the paper.

Independent columnist Nick Bollettieri agrees. The respected coach predicts a Murray victory over five sets but adds: "Man, is it a tough one to call."